EH Carr's What is History? (review)

EH Carr's contribution to the study of Soviet history is widely regarded as highly distinguished. In all probability, few would argue against the assessment of Carr's 14-volume history of Soviet Russia. For the majority of historians, he pretty much got the story straight.

But for several years there was disagreement about EH Carr's contribution to the analytical philosophy of history. First published in 1961, his ideas were outlined in What is History?

He shifted the focus of history from fact to interpretation.

Jock Given is Professor of Media and Communications at Swinburne University, for The Book Show he explores the relationship between the historian and the past in What is History?